Disney's Coronado Springs Resort’s design is inspired by the unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American cultures. In subtle ways, it features The Three Caballeros and hidden Mickeys within some of the decor in a tasteful way. The Gran Destino Tower adds a more mature, lux feel thanks to the intricate and lavish decor.

An average night will run you about $315 USD and it is considered a moderate tier resort.

*The view of the Casitas neighbourhood from exiting Casitas 5 building.*

Many refer to this resort as the "bougie on a budget" resort - and I get it because it truly is has a deluxe-tier feel for a moderate-tier price.

But is it worth the price tag when traveling to Disney World with a Baby? Is there familiar Disney theming that will have your Littles in awe? Or would you be better off saving your money and booking a value resort?

Our annual family trip

My side of the family is very close and we try to go on a family vacation together every year. Last year, because I was pregnant and had a bit of a complicated pregnancy, we had to cancel our cruise to Bermuda and the rest of my side of the family went without us.

Shortly after our daughter was born, we booked a trip to Walt Disney World with my Parents, Sister, Brother-In-Law, and Niece. This would be the first time for all of us - except for my Husband who went when he was younger, but doesn’t really remember it - so we all got to share in the first-time magic on this trip.

Because we were traveling with a 9 month old (our daughter, Maya) and a 2 year old (our niece Ori), we were able to get a good perspective on how baby-friendly this resort truly was.

An Unexpected Character Encounter

Immediately after check-in, we ran into some character friends in front of the gift shop. The Characters and Cast Members were really engaging and interactive with the kids. Goofy (who I don’t have a photo of below), after taking photos with us, jokingly “stole” my Niece’s mini luggage, ran away from her, then gave it back to her and chased her around the lobby. It was hilarious and had her giggling from head to toe. This unexpected character encounter made for such a magical start to our Disney Vacation.

Our Hotel Room

Disney’s Coronado Springs is a very large resort that is broken up onto 4 major neighborhoods - El Centro (where the lobby, all restaurants, & Gran Destino tower reside), Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas. Like I mentioned before, we would be calling the Casitas neighbourhood our home for the week.

We booked a King Water View Room and our view did not disappoint. Right outside our front door, we had a gorgeous view of the Gran Destino tower, the Three Bridges Restaurant, a fountain, and the Lago Dorado - the large central lake the resort surrounds. Later that night, we realized our room also has a direct view to watch the Hollywood Studios’ fireworks - which was a very pleasant surprise. You bet you watched them every evening.

We were welcomed into our room with our names on the television. It is such a small personal touch that really adds to the Disney magic. It had us smiling from ear to ear.

The room, itself, was very spacious. There was a lot of walking room and storage. We even had a space to store our rental stroller without it feeling like it was in the way.

Because we are currently co-sleeping with our daughter, we opted for a King bed. At home, we only have a Queen bed, so this was a special treat. We all had a lot of room to spread out at nights. The room comes with extra pillows and blankets stored in the closet, so we took advantage of that and had 6 pillows and 2 blankets being used every single night for maximum comfort.

All rooms also have a Hey Disney! virtual assistant (basically Disney’s version of Alexa) that tell you more information about the resort, can schedule wake-up calls, and has some more fun features like telling your kids jokes or saying a heartfelt goodbye message to your kids on check-out day.

*Maya enjoying the big King bed with her Minnie Mouse toy*.

A Foodie’s Dream Resort

Coronado Springs is a foodie’s dream! While most of the food is Nuevo Latino inspired, there are many classic American meals; and even a whole bakery at this resort.

For our first night, we enjoyed a delicious family dinner at Maya Grill. This restaurant is such a hidden Disney gem and should be added to your bucketlist if you want live acoustic guitar covers of classic Disney songs adding romantic ambiance to your delicious Nuevo Latino meal. It was a vibe.

*The live guitarist at Maya Grill playing acoustic covers of classic Disney songs*

Beyond the ambiance, the food at this restaurant is outstanding.

My husband and I ordered the Maya Grill Parrillada for 2. This indulgent meal included grilled skirt steak, chipotle butter, pastor-glazed organic chicken, & grilled chimichurri shrimp served with sautéed vegetables, grilled corn, lettuce, cilantro lime rice, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and flour tortillas.

This was genuinely one of the best meals we had all trip. I’d go back to Coronado Springs for this meal alone.

Most of the rest of our meals were eaten at the quick-service restaurant, El Mercado de Coronado. El Mercado de Coronado was open from 7am until 11pm; serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is also where you can purchase (or redeem, if you have the Disney Dining Plan) Refillable Resort Mugs ($21.99).

We had the pleasure of eating here at all times of the day to truly get a feel for the food.

At breakfast, all of the stations served breakfast style meals - from Mickey Waffles, breakfast sandwiches, empanadas, to Mexican-style frittatas.

During our trip, because we rope dropped the parks every day, we only had breakfast here once on check-out day. We ordered the Mickey Waffles with Bacon and the Grande Fiesta Breakfast (which included scrambled eggs topped with cheese and green onions, served with hash Browns and bacon) to share. We asked for takeaway boxes, split the meals in two, and enjoyed them from our room while watching Disney movies. The food was good - nothing outstanding, but it was a nice high protein option compared to pastries and coffee.

*Enjoying our breakfast from bed on check-out day.*

Because we primarily visited the parks early in the morning to beat the heat and crowds of the parks, we spent almost every day eating lunch at El Mercado de Coronado and tried a variety of both American classics and their featured items.

Some honourable lunch mentions:

Tripleta Sandwich ($18.00) - Pressed Sandwich with Chicken, Pork and Ham, Mayo Ketchup, Lettuce and Tomato finished with crispy potato sticks served on a sweet and soft Medianoche hoagie roll Served with a choice of fries, side salad, fruit cup, or celery and carrots.
Barbacoa Beef Rice Bowl ($17.50) - Spanish rice topped with Barbacoa Beef, Black Beans, Roasted Peppers and Onions, Shredded Lettuce, Pico De Gallo, Shredded Cheese, freshly chopped Cilantro and Lime
Bacon Cheeseburger ($16.50) - Freshly Cooked Patty, Crispy Bacon, Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions. Served with a choice of fries, side salad, fruit cup, or celery and carrots.

While we didn’t eat here nearly as much around dinner time, I do have some top favourites:

Half-Roasted Chicken ($20.00) - Half-chicken roasted and infused with zesty orange brine, served alongside flavorful red rice and crisp green beans, all drizzled with homemade gravy.
Roasted Turkey Breast ($18.00) - Succulent black tea-brined roasted turkey breast, topped with savory Ajus, paired with creamy Yukon gold mashed potatoes and tender broccoli.
Forager Pasta ($16.00) - Tender Cavatappi pasta tossed with four cheese sauce, freshly roasted mushrooms and onions. Garnished with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Served with a freshly baked garlic knot.

While we didn’t order any pastries from the Bakery, we did pop in a few times to order Joffrey’s Cold Brew before heading to the parks , and even stopped by one evening to try the Pomegranate Dole Whip.

*Maya admiring the pomegranate Dole Whip*

We also spent a few mornings visiting the beautiful Barcelona Lounge. From 6:30am until Noon they serve breakfast; and from 3:00pm-Midnight, it is a full bar and lounge. In-between the time that it isn’t open, you can use their seating area as general hangout space.

During our stay, we tried their Breakfast Wrap ($7.99), which has Egg, Chorizo, Potato, and Cheese. It also came with some sauce that isn’t on their online menu but tasted like French salad dressing. It was honestly was one of our least favourite meals we tried at this resort. While they’re pretty decently sized, there isn’t anything super outstanding or special about them. We felt like we wasted a quick-service credit (from the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan) on it and could have gotten way better breakfast from El Mercado de Coronado or somewhere in the parks instead. And because there are only 2 Cast Members working at the lounge, we felt like the service was super slow too - especially if you’re planning on just grabbing a quick bite before rope dropping the parks.

This resort is also home to three additional restaurants (Rix Sports Bar, Toledo, and Three Bridges) two pool bars (Siesta Cantina and Laguna Bar), a cafe (Rix Cafe), and an additional lounge (Dahlia Lounge) - but we didn’t have time to check them all out.

It really is an understatement to say that Coronado Springs has a lot of food options - making it a must-visit destination for foodies!

What to do on a resort day?

The resort has a lot of recreational activities, beyond eating, if you’re planning to take a break from the parks.

The Pools

At The Dig Site - Coronado Spring’s primary recreation hub - there is a featured pool, The Lost City of Cibola, with a waterfall resembling a Mayan temple and a 123-foot long waterslide. Each day, there are also activities like dance parties, relay races, themed pool games, or trivia held at the pool area by cast members. There is a small baby wading pool available here too. Looking for a hot tub instead? The Dig Site also boasts the largest hot tub in all of Walt Disney World property, with room for 22 people.

There are also 3 additional leisure pools in the various neighbourhoods if you’re looking for a more quiet wading experience.

At all the pools, complimentary towels are provided.

Campfire Nights

Coronado Springs offers nightly campfires from 6:30-7:30pm (weather permitting). Here, you can round up your family, enjoy the blazing campfire, and even purchase a s’mores pack for an evening treat.

Movies Under The Stars

Located at the Gran Destino lawn, enjoy a complimentary experience to watch beloved Disney movies under the stars with your family.

Movies Under The Stars happens every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:30pm.

You can find the movie selection for your stay on the recreational boards displayed around the resort or by visiting Guest Services.

Other Family-Friendly Recreation

Most recreational activities are free, however if there are any paid options, I’ve marked it with a dollar sign ($).

Volleyball court
0.9 mile jogging trail
A playground at The Dig Site
Colors of Coronado Paining Experience ($)
Spanish Mosaic Art Class ($)
Play at the Iguana Arcade ($)
Sangria University at Three Bridges Bar & Grill ($)

Is it worth staying at with a Baby?

Disney’s Coronado Springs truly is a special gem resort. I can understand its popularity after visiting during our last trip - but is it worth it when you’re traveling to Walt Disney World with a baby?

While each person’s perspective will be different based on what they’re looking for in an ideal family resort, I’ll share with you the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision before booking it for your family.

Resort Pros:

Because there are a lot of food options, you are bound to find something your Little will eat, if they are eating solids already.
There is a lot of recreational activities your whole family can participate in throughout the day.
Depending on where your room is, you can watch the fireworks from your room (or from the Dalia Lounge in the Gran Destino Tower) to avoid the park crowds
There is a lot of free space for your Littles to run around and get their energy out
There is a playground for your kids to play on at The Dig Site
There are changing tables in every public washroom in the resort
You have the possibility of surprise Character Encounters - like we had on our first day
Strollers are allowed inside of the quick-service restaurant, El Mercado de Coronado, unlike some places that require you to utilize stroller parking outside of the restaurant.
Many rooms are connecting rooms, so if you have a big family or you’re traveling with extended family (like bringing the grandparents along to Disney World), its easy to request a connecting room and stay close.
Disney offers free busses to take your to the parks. All bus stops have a screen telling you how long until the next bus arrives. Because it is such a large resort, there are 4 bus stops (one in each neighbourhood) for your convenience.

Resort Cons:

A lot of the table service restaurants have more of a mature-feel to them, making them feel less child-friendly.
This is a convention resort so you’ll often see a lot of events, business people, and crowds. During our 5 night stay during off-season, there were two separate conventions.
If you’re staying anywhere other than the Gran Destino Tower, accessing your room after a long park day may be a trek. The resort is huge and if you’re in one of the neighbourhoods, you can expect a 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop to your room, maybe longer if you’ve got a stroller and need to take the long way around to the only ramp and only elevator in your building.
Getting anywhere takes 5-10 minutes, generally. You’ve got a lot of walking to do and may consider bringing your stroller through the whole property - which can be inconvenient if you were hoping to just keep it in your room.
The changing tables in the public resort washrooms aren’t very functional. They are just a large concave marble slab. Unless you carry around a cushioned changing mat in your bag, you’ll be changing your Baby on a hard marble surface. It feels like an afterthought - as if they added it just to check the boxes and say they have it there.
The small baby wading pool is just a small cut out in the ground with water and a few fountains. Not a lot of theming and it also felt like an afterthought or a box they had to check without true intention to serve families with young children.
Not a lot of classic Disney theming. This is not the resort for your family if you’re looking for a resort where the classic Disney theming is in your face and your kids will be able to walk around and see their favourite characters everywhere.
The only free transportation Disney provides from this resort is Busses. This means, if you’re traveling with a stroller, you’ll have to remove your Baby from the stroller, compact it, and carry both your Baby and Stroller until you get off the bus at your destination.

Final Thoughts

Generally, we really enjoyed our stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. It has a classy, luxurious feel at a pretty affordable price tag, all of the cast members were very friendly, the food was delicious, and because we are avid exercisers, all the walking didn’t bother us - in fact, we actually looked forward to it.

Even though our daughter is only 9 months old, we’ve been taking her to hotels for staycations since she was 2 months old (including Fairmont and Marriott properties), so we were well prepared how to navigate more mature hotels. On top of that, we started baby-led weaning (BLW) at 6 months old and introduced her to a lot of different foods, flavours and textures, so finding her something to eat at this resort was easy (with some modifications). We were really happy we didn’t have to resort to formula on the go (which she’s never had before) or eating chicken nuggets, fries, and macaroni and cheese all week.

(Note: There’s absolutely nothing wrong with feeding formula or chicken nuggets, fries, and mac&cheese served age-appropriately all week - these are just foods our daughter has not tried yet, or had much exposure to yet, for us to feel comfortable and confident to feed for the full week)

Because she’s so young and can only recognize Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse right now, the classic Disney theming wasn’t really important to us, neither. Like I mentioned before, there are hidden Mickeys subtly featured in the decor and The Three Caballeros are often featured in some of the artwork inside the rooms, however, theming wasn’t a huge decision to booking this trip because she wouldn’t be able to appreciate or recognize it right now, anyways. As she gets older, we’ll definitely have to consider other resorts that have more in-your-face Disney theming, but currently at her age, it wasn’t a problem for us at all.

That being said, if you’re really aiming for the bougie on a budget feel, can plan ahead to work around the cons, and have kids who don’t mind (or won’t remember) the lack of classic Disney theming, this may be a great resort for you and your family!

On the contrary, if you’re looking for a resort more geared towards families, has lots of classic Disney theming with characters featured in all of the decor, and has a lot more “safe foods” that your kids will enjoy - you’d definitely be better off saving your money and checking out one of the Value resorts - like All Stars Movies or Art of Animation.

Is Coronado Springs Resort for your family? Have you stayed here in the past and have some additional insight? Share your comments down below to help other families planning their upcoming magical vacation.